CNN BREAKING NEWS

Damaged Drill Bit Slows Rescue

Aired July 26, 2002 - 08:02 ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED. BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: We want to go back again to southwestern Pennsylvania. The news is not good at this hour. A drill bit overnight damaged. The efforts there all but stalled right now.

Brian Palmer near the scene joins us for an update on what officials are saying not only in a press conference a few short moments ago, but also what happened overnight there -- Brian, good morning again.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. MARK SCHWEIKER, PENNSYLVANIA: There are two actions under way that I should mention. One, we have brought in, we had brought in an item that will retrieve the damaged drill bit. They are beginning to send it down and, you know, it's 50-50 about the likelihood of success.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HEMMER: Governor Schweiker again a short time ago. You saw his comments live here on CNN.

Now to Brian Palmer, who is working the scene there in southwestern Pennsylvania. Check that. He is watching and waiting for that press briefing to end. When it does, we'll talk with Brian about the very latest on what's happening there.

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